Dr M urged to stop making statements that stir ethnic tensions

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been urged to stop making statements that could create ethnic tension.

This was stressed by DAP Central Committee member Sheikh Omar Bagharib Ali, who added that Dr Mahathir's statement characterising non-Malay-led political parties as immigrant parties is not appropriate.

He added that these parties are registered under the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and are allowed to engage in politics under the framework of the Constitution.

"I am confused by his (Mahathir's) views because he once led Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) as well as collaborated with MCA, MIC, Sabah, and Sarawak.

"Our country has laws, including political matters, and they operate under the Constitution. The issue of immigrants is long gone; now people no longer discuss that issue.

"I am worried that the statement will create a racial divide among communities, and eventually, society will be divided," he said when contacted by Sinar on Monday.

On Monday, the media reported that Mahathir characterised non-Malay-led political parties as immigrant parties during a speech at a ceramah program in Pas Bakri, Muar, Johor.

According to Mahathir, the reluctance of non-Malays to assimilate into Malay culture, including establishing their own political parties, contributes to the issue of ethnic polarisation in the country.

Elaborating further, Sheikh Omar added that this issue should not be raised by the former Prime Minister because the Malaysian race has been introduced since the Vision 2020 era.

"In addition to him, our former Prime Ministers like Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak each introduced the concept of a Malaysian Family and 1 Malaysia.

"This shows the inclusivity of various races in this country, recognizing them, and living in peace and harmony in Malaysia," he said.